Small Business Reference Guide
Size Regulations
The United States of America requires use of small business subcontracting suppliers on programs funded by agencies of the U.S. government. Many subcontracting opportunities are therefore limited to small businesses that are U.S. owned and operated. To determine your company’s status, this reference guide may be helpful. To be considered a U.S. Small Business for subcontracting purposes, a company must be organized for profit, independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field of operation. It must also operate primarily within the United States; or, if not, it must make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials, or labor. Finally, it must meet the size standard for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) of the product or service it is providing under the terms of its contract or subcontract. These rules are set forth in SBA’s regulations (Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR, Title 13, Part 121). Of particular importance to Lockheed Martin’s suppliers are the rules set forth in 13 CFR 121.404(e), 121.410, and 121.411. Small business size regulations are available here.
Self-Certification
Small Business (SB)
- Below NAICS code size threshold (U.S. citizenship not required)
- Size-standards
Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)
- 51% disadvantaged; owner must be both socially and economically disadvantaged (U.S. citizenship required)
- 8(a) Business Development program
- Eligibility, Certification, and Protests Relating to Federal SDB Programs
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)
- 51% owned and operated by women (U.S. citizenship required)
- Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program
Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB)
- 51% owned/operated by veteran(s) (U.S. citizenship not required)
- Veteran-owned businesses
Service-Disabled Veteran (SDVOSB or SDV)
- 51% owned/operated by service-disabled veteran(s) (U.S. citizenship not required)
- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Program
Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
- Tied to specific NAICS codes (U.S. citizenship required) Not applicable to Lockheed Martin’s suppliers
LGBTBE / Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
- 51% owned/operated by one or more LGBT owner(s)
- LGBT Business Program
SBA Certified
HUBZone certified
- Eligibility is based on firm’s location (U.S. citizenship required)
- HUBZone program
Tribal Card
Indian Organization, Indian-owned Economic Enterprises, and Native Hawiian Small Businesses (includes native villages and native groups as defined in the Alaska Native Claims settlement Act), Alaska Native Corporations, and Indian tribes
- 5% reimbursement for use on DoD contracts Federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Corporations - SB/SDB credit
- Indian Incentive Program
- Office of Native American Affairs
- Utilization of Indian Organizations, Indian-Owned Economic Enterprises, and Native Hawaiian Small Business Concerns
- FAR Part 19 Small Business Programs
Cybersecurity Resources
Awareness of cyber risks and implementation of effective cybersecurity controls and defenses is vital. To assist suppliers, the following links are publicly available resources we hope you find helpful:
Small Business Information
System for Award Management (SAM), a new government data system that replaces several legacy systems. It is used by many government agencies as well as prime contractors to those agencies to locate suppliers to meet their unique requirements.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created by Congress in 1953 to help America's entrepreneurs form successful small enterprises. Today, SBA's program offices in every state offer financing, training and advocacy for small firms. In addition, the SBA works with thousands of lending, educational and training institutions nationwide.
The Small Business Administration offers a variety of loan programs for very specific purposes. To learn more, visit the website.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was developed by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to provide comparable statistics across the three countries. For the first time, government and business analysts will be able to compare directly industrial production statistics collected and published in the three North American Free Trade Agreement countries. NAICS also provides for increased comparability with the International Standard Industrial Classification System (ISIC, Revision 3), developed and maintained by the United Nations.
The Minority On-Line Information Service (MOLIS) is a ground-breaking online database of the research capabilities of over 268 minority institutions. MOLIS is used by government agencies, organizations and institutions (both private and public) to identify opportunities for HBCUs & minority serving institutions.
Post Small Business Opportunity
Prime contractors use SUB-Net to post subcontracting opportunities. These may or may not be reserved for small business, and they may include either solicitations or other notices - for example, notices of sources sought for teaming partners and subcontractors on future contracts. Small businesses can review this web site to identify opportunities in their areas of expertise. While the web site is designed primarily as a place for large businesses to post solicitations and notices, it is also used by Federal agencies, state and local Governments, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and even foreign Governments for the same purpose.
The FedBizOpps system allows government buyers to post synopses, solicitations and related documents on the internet and interfaces with other agency applications. The system also provides the functionality to search for business opportunities and to assist suppliers to register to receive notices of interest to their companies.
Additional Links
Government Sites
13 CFR Small Business Administration
ABA Small Business & Socio-Economic Programs
Air Force
Defense Logistics Information Systems
Department of Veteran Affairs
Department of Veteran Affairs OSDBU
DOC MBDA
Department of Defense (DOD)
DOD Defense Security Service (security clearances)
DOD Office of Small Business Programs
DOD Indian Incentive Program
DOD Mentor/Protégé Program
DOD SB Regional Councils
Department of State (DOS) OSDBU
Electronic Subcontracting Reporting System (eSRS)
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Federal Business Opportunities (Fedbizopps)
Federal Web Portal for Veterans in Business
FPDS-NG Log in
AbilityOne
Legislative - Congressional Districts
NASA OSBP
DOD SBIR Programs
Diversity Sites
Minority Business Entrepreneur
National Minority Supplier Development Council
HBCU/MI Sites
Educational On-Line's - Listing of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)
HBCU Connect
Minority On-Line Information Service (MOLIS)
NAICS Sites
NAICS
NAICS Search
Native American Sites
American Indian Index
Bureau of Indian Affairs
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development
Supplier Diversity Sites
Alliance of Supplier Diversity Professionals
SBA Sites
SBA Advocacy Law Library
SBA Government Contracting Programs
SBA Goaling Program - Main Page
SBA Homepage
SBA Laws and Regulations
SBA Mentor Protege Program
SBA Office of Advocacy, Regulatory Alerts
SBA Size Standards
SBA Table of Size Standards
Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC)
Cross Timbers Procurement Center
PTAC List
Veterans Sites
SBA Veterans Business Development
Veteran-Owned Small Business (DOD)
Women
U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
Women's Business Enterprise National Council
Women-Owned Small Business (DOD)
Women-Owned Business (SBA)